Effect of transracial/transethnic adoption on children's racial and ethnic identity and self-esteem: A meta-analytic review

This paper reports the results of a meta-analytic review of comparative studies of racial identity and self-esteem in transracially/transethnically-adopted, inracially-adopted/same ethnic group, and biologic African-American and Mexican-American children. Six studies, including one longitudinal study with four phases, met the established criteria. Study level effect sizes were calculated. Twenty-nine dependent measure effect sizes were also calculated. There was an overall effect, in the negative direction, of transracial adoption on a combined variable of racial/ethnic identity and self-esteem (d = -0.3775, p = .001). The effect size increased when racial identity was considered separately (d = -0.5220, p < .01). Effect size associated with self-esteem was not statistically significant, although a positive direction was noted. Tests failed to achieve homogeneity among included studies. Age of study participant was a moderating variable. Several other potential moderators were also identified. Results are discussed in terms of implications for future research.